Wulai Waterfall, Taipei, Taiwan for Water H2O Thursday

 

Wulai Waterfall, situated in the verdant mountains of northern Taiwan, is a popular destination for both locals and travelers seeking a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Taipei. Wulai is just outside the Taipei district, with easy access by rapid transport, making it an ideal day trip for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without venturing too far from the city.

During my visit, the weather was rather disappointing. It should have been sunny, but instead, the skies turned stormy intermittently. Despite the unpredictable showers, the sight of the waterfall cascading down the cliffs, surrounded by mist and lush greenery, created an almost mystical atmosphere that made the trip worthwhile.

One of the highlights of the Wulai region is its charming old street, where vendors sell an array of local delicacies. Among them, I particularly enjoyed the mountain pig sausage — a savory and smoky treat that perfectly complemented the rustic setting. The flavors, unique to this region, added a special touch to the experience.

Beyond the culinary delights, what makes Wulai so special is the easy access to nature. The towering trees, rushing river, and distant calls of wildlife provide a welcome escape from urban noises. As you wander through the trails and listen to the waterfall’s roar, you are reminded of how refreshing it is to step away from city life and reconnect with the natural world.

Though the weather did not fully cooperate, Wulai still left me with lasting impressions — a blend of scenic beauty, cultural flavor, and peaceful solitude that’s hard to find so close to a major metropolis.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Heavenly Queen Temple, Footscray for Treasure Tuesday

 

The Heavenly Queen Temple suffered damage during the flood two years prior. When we visited, the majority of the structures were still under construction. Situated on the bend of the Yarra River, just near the border of Melbourne City, the temple remains secluded from the surrounding urban environment.

Joel, desiring to sample the Pho in Footscray, selected this destination for us to explore with our prime lenses.

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6 

Linking Treasure Tuesday 

Nyah West Murray River for Sunday Best and Scenic Sunday

 

In Nyah, Victoria, the Murray River often remains undisturbed by visitors. I relish the earthy aroma that permeates this serene part of inland Victoria.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best and Scenic Sunday

Murray Bridge in South Australia for Treasure Tuesday

 

Nestled along the banks of the Murray River, the Murray Bridge stands as a testament to both South Australia’s rich history and its modern-day infrastructure. Opened in 1879, this vital crossing connects the town of Murray Bridge to the rest of the state, serving as a key transport route for locals and visitors alike. With its distinctive steel structure, the bridge spans nearly 600 meters and remains one of the longest and oldest in the region.

The aerial view offers a unique perspective of the bridge’s scale and the surrounding landscape. From the tranquil waters of the river to the sprawling farmland, it’s a reminder of how this impressive feat of engineering has helped shape the community for over a century. Today, the Murray Bridge continues to stand as both a historical landmark and a symbol of progress in South Australia.

DJ Mini Pro4 

Linking Treasure Tuesday

We had the best chili cheesy Kranski here

Long neck turtle for Saturday Critter

 

Around Murray River, they are seen everywhere lately

Linking Saturday Critter

Castle Hill New Zealand for Sunday Best

 

I like the composition somehow. I enjoy the walk there

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

I spent the whole day hiking out around Ballarat area with Joel. Damn, the waterfall was completely dried out including the river nearby. That was a huge disappointment. In the end, we had some nice chicken Parma in a dusty general pub at a nearby country town. I swear the owner looks like a character from a horror haunting movie killing off tourists.  

Then Joel's electric car ran out of juice. We had to go to a town with limited fast charge. I believe Joel turned up the heating too strong for the cold weather here. 

New Zealand Town Fairlie for Sign 2

 

This town is on the way to Aoraki the highest mountain in New Zealand. The only place I can eat some hot pies and warm latte that tastes like cough medicine. 

Thanks to the pouring rain in Christchurch. I stay at hotel processing my shots all day. Even the city river is flooding the banks. Did I bring so much needed rain to NZ?

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Long Teng Broken Bridge for Sunday Best

 

There is an interesting story about the town of Longteng that is revealing of the superstitious beliefs that local people once held. When the first settlers started to cultivate land in the area, they believed that Liyu Lake, located nearby, was inhabited by a carp spirit which brought hardship to the people. In order to overcome this evil spirit they planted yuteng (a poisonous plant) in the Longteng Mountain area. At the same time they gave the mountain in the east the name Guandao Mountain (lit. Guan Sword Mountain) hoping that the Sword Mountain would cut the Yuteng Rattan. In this way, they hoped to poison the evil carp spirit. The ploy must have been effective, for people no longer believe that the evil carp spirit harms the people of Longteng. In the morning of April 24, 1935 a strong earthquake hit central Taiwan. lts epicenter was near Mt. Guandao, and many buildings in the Sanyi district were destroyed. A reminder of this earthquake remains in the ruins of the arched bridge over Long River. It can be seen from the railway line between Sanyi and Houli.

The ruins of Longteng Bridge join Chengxing (Shengxing) Station as one of the top-two visitor attractions on the Jiushan tour route. This historic span is notable attraction both for its simple beauty and as a memorial to the two major earthquakes that severed the bridge twice at the fifth northernmost pier, including damages caused by the 921 Earthquake in September 21, 1999.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Hua Lien Beach View for Water H2O Thursday

 

Hualien is the meeting point of the Central Cross-Island Highway, Suao-Hualien Highway, and highways leading south to Taitung.

Hualien County is home to several world-class scenic attractions. In 1590, Portuguese sailors passed by the eastern coast of Taiwan and were so moved by the grandeur of what they saw that they named this land "Formosa," the beautiful island. Since that time, the majestic views of Hualien have come to represent Taiwan.

Formerly known as Qilai, Hualien's current name derives from the phrase "huilan" (eddying water), a reference to the swirling currents of the Hualien River where it meets the sea.

Hualien is Taiwan's biggest county, with an area of about 4,628 square kilometers and a population of 350,000. The county borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and is hemmed in by the Central Range to the west. With its towering peaks, azure skies, vast seas, scenic valleys, cultural diversity, and friendly kindhearted people, Hualien has become one of Taiwan's first-choice travel destinations for local and international visitors alike.

There are some 200 after quakes after the initial one 1 month ago. I am not planning to go anywhere near the location now.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Going to another province for 2 days. No access to Wifi. 

Tamshui Taiwan Dock for Skywatch Friday

 

The water was actually clean in contrast to my childhood memory. 

Tamsui Old Street is divided into the inner and outer side. The outer street is the golden anchor walkway of Tamsui river coast, while the inner side is a traditional old street lined with bustling shops. There are faithfully traditional pastry shops, groceries and stores selling trendy outfits and toys. The popular foods in the area include A Gei, fish ball, fried fish crackers, traditionally baked cake, Granny’s iron eggs, etc. are all must try goodies. In the evening, the beautiful scenery of the sun setting below the ocean horizon can be seen along the golden anchor walkway.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Story Bridge in Brisbane Australia for Sunday Best

 Brisvegas is alive.

The Story Bridge is a heritage listed steel cantilever bridge spanning the Brisbane River that carries vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the northern and the southern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. It is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia.

The road across the bridge is named Bradfield Highway. The bridge connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. The Story Bridge opened in 1940 and was tolled until 1947. It is named after prominent public servant John Douglas Story.

Given the early settlement of Kangaroo Point, there is a long history of residents wanting a bridge between the Brisbane CBD and Kangaroo Point. Even while the first Victoria Bridge was being constructed between North Brisbane and South Brisbane in 1865, several hundred people were petitioning for a second bridge to be built from the Customs House to Kangaroo Point. In 1888, a meeting was held in the Brisbane Town Hall to demand a bridge connecting either George Street, Albert Street or Edward Street via the City Botanic Gardens with any loss of the land from the gardens to be potentially compensated by removing Government House.

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sunday Best

The photography tips for beginners in photography:

1. If you wanna freeze the action, don’t increase your shutter speed. Just ask the players to freeze and not move.

2. You can clean your camera with soap

3. Some part of your finger should appear in the camera. Gives a nice blur and focus

4. You don't need a lens to take good photos

5. Lens cap ON, iso to MAX

6. Time for a deep clean? Be sure to exfoliate your sensor

Merry Xmas decoration in Town Hall and Hosier Lane Mural for Mural Monday

 

Every year, this looks same. I really want to go to Yarra River for the river lights installation, but I am scared to mix in the crazy crowd on Xmas Eve. 

An elf looking lost 

Joel and I headed out to a lovely beach near Tenby Point. He told me about a new gimbal camera that is coming onto the market by DJ mini. It would be a universal mount camera with a very low register distance. So it can take any lenses from any major brands. How exciting! 

Linking Mural Monday

Tyntynder Victoria with River Murray for Skywatch Friday

 

A derelict part of the remote Victoria. The wind was blowing very hard. I did the drone shot anyway.

DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Skywatch Friday

Warburton creek river flow for Sunday Best

 

I lost my 50mm f1.2 . I bought the lens again for its special rendition it has. 

Sony A7RV 

FE 50mm f1.2 

Linking Sunday Best

Tamshui Taipei Taiwan for Sunday Best

 

This is near the river mouth in Taipei district. It looks somewhere in a tropical island. In fact, it is next to ugly concrete jungle. 

An illusion

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Kilcunda afternoon sky for Skywatch Friday

 

Kilcunda is becoming more popular for photographers. It is an ideal location to get full milkyway belt above that particular dune. 

However, this place caused me a lot of incidents - camera drowned in that very river, tripod getting taken into the sea, hand and leg lacerations etc. I am told that all haunted places either have a lot of moisture or underground water source. 

Sony A7III

Canon 14mm f2.8 

Linking Sky watch Friday

Swan Hill Bridge for Sunday Best

 

Vic NSW border bridge at night above Murray River

Having a break on weekend taking a snap at the night bridge

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best and My corner of the world

Sky mirror at Lake Weeroona, Bendigo

 

This lake is located less than 2 km from where I live. Sometimes the sky can reveal its beauty. The river bank is filled with duck poo though. Very organic smell 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm. f1.4 GM

Sky mirror

Grampians creek above McKenzie Falls

 

The turbulent water without long exposure gives a different feel 

Panasonic G9

Leica 8-18mm 

River shots

Bega River, Tarraganda NSW